Nvidia Readies New Android/PC Games Machine

Gaming is a popular activity with both adults and children. The plethora of highly interactive games that are available today in both desktop and mobile formats present a multitude of choices for the avid gamer. However, for a rich gaming experience, the PC or the mobile phone needs to have a robust graphics card with excellent processing power. Only then can the games be enjoyed to the fullest.

Gaming manufacturers and mobile phone makers have been quick to exploit the potential of gaming and have been coming out with controllers and consoles at various price points. Nvidia has been a prominent player in this market and have been selling handheld consoles and GPU or graphic processing units to make the gaming experience a memorable one for its customers.

NVIDIA SHIELD’S POOR SHOW

But when it came to the Android operating system and presenting a suitable console to play games on the mobile, it has not found the going easy. Its Shield handheld console did not make the impact it was expected to and did not sell many units. Nvidia has therefore decided to come out with a new device that will be able to use the processing power of the PC graphic card to boost its power. This becomes relevant when the usage is at a different place.

This budget priced controller from Nvidia would be a separate one for any Android gadget. It would be able to also stream games on the PC to the TV making use of the HDMI-out port, thus giving gaming enthusiasts the advantage of a bigger screen to enjoy their games. Analysts believe this will pose a serious threat to the Steam Machine PC games that are about to be launched by Valve. That launch by Valve is now expected to happen only in 2015.

This device from Nvidia will use the Nvidia GeForce Experience arrangement to run the PC titles. Nvidia displayed the mobile chip that houses the central processing unit and the 192-core GPU at the recent Google I/O developer’s conference. Analysts tracking the company believe that Nvidia by displaying this chip was eager to know the response of the industry to this chip for the moment than its sales numbers.

CHIP DISPLAYED TO ENTICE MANUFACTURERS

The idea is to encourage prominent tablet as well as smart phone makers to use this chip for their future products. As of now, it has been rather sparsely used with only Xiaomi, the Chinese tablet manufacturer using it apart from Lenovo for its smart TV. Google too has used the chip for its Project Tango tablet in small measure.

This Nvidia device is sure to appeal to those who wish to have the flexibility of using it in their living rooms as well as on the road. Its high processing power and low-cost controller is the ideal combination that users would love to have, since they would be able to use this device also as a standalone for running the entire gamut of Android applications. They would also be able to access Android productivity software.

How Android TV Will Change The Way You Game

Times are different now. Today you can play the same games on the console as well as on mobiles. That line of distinction which separated the two has blurred significantly. Now Google has even better plans for Android as the TV platform. Android TV will replace Google TV. This was announced at the Google I/O and through this initiative; the TV set in your living room will become like a mobile device.

RICH GRAPHICS IN YOUR LIVING ROOM

Android developers can now make applications for this TV screen and provide consumers with a whole variety of interesting games. In this, Android TV will have the support of Nvidia’s Tegra K1 chipset. This chip will enable game makers to provide high end gaming experiences. These games will be rich in graphics and since you can play them on your TV from the comfort of your living room, the scenario is akin to the times when you have used a console controller or the Xbox.

With the arrival of the Android TV platform, developers have access to one more micro-console device that can be controlled wirelessly. Just like the Nvidia Shield, the Amazon Fire TV and the Ouva, this platform is expected to deliver gaming quality that regular gamers are used to viewing from their console. The powerful graphics and processing power from the OpenGL ES 3.1 enables even more advanced and complex gaming scenes. All this is sure to be welcomed by die-hard gaming fans wanting more from gaming.

MORE TO CHEER FOR DEVELOPERS

But that is not all. Developers are enthused about other significant aspects related to Android TV. The first one is the experience gamers can get across platforms. A game like the Trail of Ibn Battuta is now being optimized for the Tegra K1 chipset so that it can be presented with even more vivid graphics and gameplay sequences.

Then you have the specter of mobile gaming that can be enjoyed by the entire family. Multiple users can play mobile games now and with interactivity among players increasing, the concept of friends and family relishing the gaming experience becomes a reality. Consoles have always tried to make this happen with engaging titles like Lego Lord of the Rings and Super Smash Bros. With Android TV, both single-player and multiplayer living room fun is possible. The beauty of Tegra K1 is that the visual effects are brilliant without any lag.

Then there are the controllers. These enhance the gaming experience and take it to another level altogether. Games like Groundskeeper 2, Heroes of Loot and many other older games that have been popular on touch screens of mobiles come alive on the big screen. Gamers who like to play with controllers will really like their tryst with gaming on the Android platform.

SINGLE DEVICE MAKES IT POSSIBLE

Developers now do not have to create variations of one game to suit different chipsets. The Tegra K1 chip is a unified one on which makers of games can deliver enhanced and wide range of games to the living room of gamers.

Root-Only Android App Lets You Mirror To Chromecast From More Devices

A few days ago, Google announced that Chromecast mirroring was now available on a select number of devices.

Unfortunately, there were only about a dozen devices included in that list. What about the rest of us Android users?

Thankfully, it didn’t take long for a talented developer to introduce Chromecast mirroring to even more devices. Thanks to this developer, you can now enjoy Chromecast mirroring on devices that are not officially supported.

That talented developer is r3pwn, who created a mirroring app that works in parallel to the Chromecast companion app.

You will require root access to use this app. If you have root access, then you can enjoy Chromecast mirroring on all the following devices, including:

All of those devices have been tested to work with Chromecast. However, even if your smartphone or tablet isn’t on the list, it could still work.

The only devices that have been confirmed not to work with this new module are the:

-HTC Evo 3D

-Droid 4

-Galaxy Nexus

-Samsung Galaxy SII

-Most older Android devices

Anyways, r3pwn seems to have worked really hard developing his Chromecast mod, so head on over to his thread at the XDA Developers Forum to thank him. You can download his Chromecast companion app directly from here, where you’ll find a downloadable APK file.

LG G3 On Verizon And AT&T Has Officially Been Rooted

The LG G3 is an amazing new smartphone that recently debuted in the United States after shattering sales records in South Korea.

Despite being only a few weeks old, the American versions of the LG G3 have already been successfully rooted.

Thanks to the intelligent folks over at the XDA Developers Forum, we now have a working LG G3 root for Verizon and AT&T.

The rooting method appears to be simple – at least compared to other complicated rooting methods out there today.

All you’ll need is a Windows machine, a few special drivers, and ADB.

Instead of walking you through this rooting method in a few boring lines of text, I suggest you watch this video, where DroidModderX fully explains how to root the LG G3:

Basically, all you need to do is:

-Download USB drivers for Verizon

-Download IORoot

-Connect your LG G3 to your computer

-Run the .bat file

You can use this method on a PC, Mac, or Linux distro.

Currently, this method is not working for the LG G3 on Sprint or T-Mobile’s networks. Shoutout to DroidModderX for the detailed tutorial video listed above!

New Pocket Projector Lets You Turn Any Wall Into 80 Foot Android Touchscreen

Have you ever looked at a blank white wall in your home and thought about getting a projector?

If so, then you’ll like this new Android-running projector from Touchjet. Touchjet first debuted its mini projector called TouchPico at CES 2014.

Today, Touchjet unveiled its IndieGoGo campaign to fully fund the TouchPico and release it for retail sale.

The projector is about the size of a Note 3, although a little thicker around the middle. It runs Android and includes Wi-Fi connectivity.

Unlike most other projectors, the TouchPico doesn’t just project images onto a wall in your home.

Instead, it projects an interactive touchscreen onto the walls of your home. You’ll need to use a special stylus to interact with that touchscreen, but it still feels magical.

The stylus works by sending infrared signals to your projector every time you tap the wall. If you tap the wall with your finger, that signal is never sent, so you’ll need to use the stylus.

Touchjet claims that the TouchPico can be used for a bunch of different purposes, including as a whiteboard, presentation device, lecture tool, and even big-screen gaming console.

The only real drawback to using the TouchPico is that the shadow of your arm cannot block the screen – or else your movements won’t register. In other words, you have to hold the stylus carefully to ensure your input commands are actually being registered.

On the technical side of things, the TouchPico includes these specs:

-$350 initial price for backers on Indiegogo ($500 retial price upon release)

-150 lumen projector

-No CPU power required

-Two built-in speakers

-Small cooling fan

-45 minutes battery life when not plugged in

$350 is a lot of money to pay for an Android projector. But, on the other hand, you can run video streaming apps, games, and other tools from the comfort of your living room wall. Is there any other 80-inch Android device you can fit in your pocket? I don’t think so.

The TouchPico isn’t available for retail sale yet. However, Touchjet has turned to IndieGoGo to support and has launched a campaign to reach $55,000 in funding by August 26, 2014. Currently, they’re about 25% of the way to that goal. Contributing $350 gets you an Android projector once they’re manufactured.

Update: Touchjet has actually discounted the entry fee for the IndieGoGo campaign. You can pay $269 or $289 for “early special pricing” and get it delivered by October 15.

Samsung Z, The World’s First Tizen Smartphone, Has Been Delayed

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Samsung’s Tizen has been in development for several years. Tizen is Samsung’s Linux-based operating system that could replace Android on its flagship smartphones within the next year.

Before releasing Tizen on the Note and Galaxy lineup of devices, Samsung is testing it on devices like the Samsung Z.

The Samsung Z was initially scheduled for release this summer in Russia. However, Samsung has announced that the release of the Samsung Z has been pushed back.

Samsung did not explain why the release has been delayed. The Android community, however, has made some educated guesses, including:

-Presale numbers were not as strong as Samsung had hoped

-Tizen OS is filled with bugs or glitches

Samsung has had great success with Android but also pays Google a lot of money for using its Android services. If Samsung can develop a worthy competitor to Android, then it could save itself a lot of money while freeing itself from the whims of Google.

Tizen isn’t based on Android. Instead, Tizen is based on Meego. Like Android, Meego is an open-sourced Linux-based OS. During the early days of smartphones, Meego and Android were two leading competitors. Meego was backed by Nokia and Intel but eventually lost the battle to Google’s Android.

Clearly, Google is still winning that battle. However, if Samsung ever gets around to releasing Tizen and its Samsung Z, it could turn the tables on the entire mobile industry – if we ever see a Tizen-based smartphone in the industry, of course.

HTC Gives Free M8 To Redditor After His Galaxy S4 Caught On Fire

Every so often, the internet hears a story about a phone catching on fire.

Last month, a Redditor named TweektheGeek posted on R/Android complaining about his Galaxy S4.

TweektheGeek was lying asleep in bed when he reached over and felt his Galaxy S4, which was charging using a certified Samsung charger and cable. The Galaxy S4 was so hot that it woke him up. The “smoldering” phone had not yet caught on fire, but it was too hot to handle.

TweektheGeek grabbed a shirt, placed his phone by the windowsill, and let it cool off. When he surveyed the damage, he was disturbed by what he saw:

“The cable had melted into my phone, and it broke when I tried to pull it out.”

The phone and its charger were ruined.

TweektheGeek wasn’t running any apps or background tasks when the phone caught fire, and he was using the charger that came with his Galaxy S4. After contacting Samsung, Samsung agreed to replace his phone free of charge.

Unfortunately, that replacement phone never arrived and, according to TweektheGeek, Samsung repeatedly ignored his phone calls and requests.

“THEY HAVE IGNORED ME COMPLETELY”

In a follow-up post, TweektheGeek delivered the bad news. Samsung had completely ignored him after promising to send him a replacement phone.

He tried to reach Samsung numerous times via telephone, Reddit, Facebook, Twitter, and all other major means. When calling Samsung, he would talk to a rep for 5 minutes before being placed on hold for 30 to 50 minutes, and then prompted to leave a voicemail. Despite leaving multiple voicemail messages, nobody ever returned his calls.

HTC SEES AN OPPORTUNITY

Just when TweektheGeek thought all hope was lost, something magical happened. A Redditor named JetLeigh asked:

“How attached are you to a Galaxy?”

A few messages later, jetleigh posted this message:

TweektheGeek has accepted the offer and is now (presumably) a happy member of #TeamHTC.

Interestingly, TweektheGeek repeatedly emphasized that he wasn’t ready to “wage war” on Samsung or launch a hate parade against the brand. Instead, he approached the issue with restraint and calmness – two qualities that are often lacking in online communities.

The whole story is a good example of the internet at work. You can read the exchange between TweektheGeek and the HTC rep in the comments section of this Reddit thread.

Amazon Fire Phone Now Available For $0 Or $649

Last month, Amazon announced its first smartphone: the Fire Phone.

The phone is built around Amazon’s services. If you like watching movies, reading books, and streaming TV shows from Amazon, then the Fire Phone could be your next favorite smartphone.

Unfortunately, the Fire Phone also lacks some of the high-end tech specs that make today’s Android devices so attractive.

The Fire Phone does not have a 1080p screen, for example. Users are restricted to AT&T (although you can choose any carrier if you buy the $649 contract-free phone). Additionally, the phone is powered by Fire OS, which is Amazon’s modified version of Android that lacks Google services.

The Fire Phone isn’t bad, but it’s definitely a unique Android smartphone. I recommend buyers educate themselves on all the pros and cons of the Amazon Fire Phone before they buy.

All negative stuff aside, the Fire Phone isavailable for $0 on a 2-year contract with AT&T. Additionally, that free price is for the 32GB version – most other free phone deals offer the lowest storage space option, or the 16GB version.

Other Fire Phone bonuses include a 2.2Ghz Snapdragon 800 processor, 2GB of RAM, and a 13MP camera – specs that put it in-line with other flagship Android devices.

Other unique features include “3D” Dynamic Perspective, which makes images and icons pop out from the screen.

If you won’t miss the Google services – like the Play Store – and you really like Amazon’s services, then the Fire Phone may be your next smartphone. You can check out the Fire Phone today on Amazon.com – where it’s currently listed as “in stock”.

Paying $649 for this phone seems like a little too much. Getting it for free on a two-year AT&T contract, however, is a pretty good incentive.

5 Things Windows Phone Does Right That Android Does Wrong

For most people, switching from Windows Phone to Android is a joyous experience. There are plenty of apps to download and a diverse range of phones from which to choose.

But for some people, the grass is always greener on the other side. Such was the case with Phandroid writer Joe Fedewa who complained about a number of Android faults after switching from Windows Phone 8.1

Joe, for what it’s worth, was initially an Android user who became a Windows Phone user three years ago. Then, Joe was suddenly asked to switch back to Android.

While Joe seems happy with his new Android, there are some important things he misses after making the switch.

What’s it like to switch from Windows Phone 8.1 to Android? Here are 5 things Joe misses from his old WP 8.1 days:

5) BATTERY SAVING MODE

Today’s Android devices – including the Galaxy S5 – are starting to include battery saving modes and tools. These tools let you easily conserve battery life by limiting background tasks.

Unfortunately, not all Android devices have this feature.

Windows Phone has had a powerful battery saving mode for a while. In battery saving mode, Windows Phone turns off live tiles, limits background apps, and restricts email syncing. Important notifications, however, like SMS and phone calls, will continue to be delivered. WP 8.1 users can use this mode to stretch out battery life by days or weeks.

4) DETAILED VOLUME CONTROLS

On Android, pressing the volume buttons does different things depending on which app you’re using.

If you’re playing a game, then the volume buttons will raise or lower the noise from that game. If you’re running an app that does not currently use sound, then the volume buttons will raise or lower all other notifications on your device – like calls and SMS sounds.

On Windows Phone 8.1, Microsoft has made it easy to adjust the volume for different aspects of your device. When accessing the volume settings menu, you can change volume settings for “Ringer + Notifications” as well as “Media + Apps”. There’s also a vibrate toggle button.

3) THE APP DRAWER IS A MESS WHEN COMPARED TO THE APP LIST

On Android, your apps can be found in the app drawer, which is a grid of app icons with small titles included beneath each icon. It can be difficult to find exactly what you’re looking for.

On Windows Phone 8.1, that’s not the case: WP 8.1 includes an app list which lists all of your installed apps in alphabetical order. It’s easy to find what you’re looking for and many users prefer it over the messy, jumbled, Android app drawer.

2) A CAMERA BUTTON

I don’t miss much about my old Blackberry, but I do miss the camera button. Microsoft requires Windows Phone manufacturers to include a physical camera button on the case.

On Android, you won’t find many camera buttons. You can find lockscreen shortcuts and camera widgets, but an actual camera button is rare.

If you want to take a picture quickly, then Windows Phone 8.1 has a slight edge over Android. Not to mention, of course, the superior picture-taking qualities of high-end WP 8.1 phones like the Lumia.

1) SMOOTH PERFORMANCE

One of the things Windows Phone users miss most when switching to Android is the “buttery” smooth performance. While Android has thousands of devices with different resolutions, performance settings, and setups, Windows Phone 8.1 has stricter requirements for its manufacturers. These requirements – along with the niche popularity of Windows Phone – lead to a smaller number of devices.

That means Windows Phone is better optimized to run on each and every Windows Phone device. Most users find this leads to smooth and easy performance – especially when compared to under-optimized Android devices.

Android And Chromebooks: The One-Two Punch Combo For Business Users

There is no doubt that the Android platform has surged ahead in popularity and demand. The sales of smart phones being run with this platform is sufficient proof. It is significant that its market share penetration has straddled both the business and consumer segments.

This needs to be viewed in perspective of the fact that the Chrome OS has not been able to make headway beyond consumers who are looking for an affordable option. Chromebooks has been able to address a market that looked for a secure platform and at a price that was within its reach. To that extent, it has been successful in catering to the needs of the average computer user.

THE ANDROID/CHROME OS COMBINATION

There is a move to have more of business using it and towards that end, the Chrome OS platform is undergoing and coming up with updates to make that happen. While Android has been acknowledged as a flexible mobile platform, Chrome OS is perceived to be ideal for interaction with Google apps tailored for business needs. It will now be difficult to refute this deadly combo any longer.

But things are not that rosy yet. There are still some glitches that need to be overcome.

The software to start with needs a lot more refinement. Though Chromebook is affordable, the need to enter the password each time you wish to use it is a major drag on efficiency. The updates that are expected will be resolving this issue and you would be auto login into the Chromebook through your Android smart phone.

Once the two devices are linked through software, you can remain logged in and any attempt by an intruder to get in would be presented with the lock screen.

WHAT ABOUT MESSAGES, CALLS?

Well, the expected upgrade to the Chrome OS will ensure that you are able to see stuff that is appearing on the smart phone clearly on the Chromebook as well. That means you will not miss any alert or calls. A message notification on the smart phone will generate a pop-up on the Chromebook enabling you to look and reply to that message immediately.

This syncing between the phone and the laptop means you can pick up any conversation you had left midway even when you are not using the Chromebook. The situation is not very clear regarding calls and whether you would be able to answer them from your Chromebook but you will definitely be able to see who has called and then use your smart phone to return their call.

BATTERY NOTIFICATION ON TIME AND APPS

Chromebook will alert you the moment the Android battery approaches the low level. You can also customize the trigger alert you want and the threshold of this notification about battery status.

Now for the exciting development that will be sweet music to Chromebook users. The update will enable Chromebooks to run Android apps in online as well as offline mode.

The selection of apps has not yet been made by Google but it is more than likely that business-centric apps will now be easily accessible on the Chromebook.

From the above, it is clear that businesses can look forward to good times using the Android-Chromebook combination.

Should You Pay To Unlock Your Android?

In some parts of the world, new phones come unlocked. Europeans, for example, are typically able to buy unlocked phones from their carriers.

In North America, however, carriers are different. Whether you’re purchasing a phone in the United States or Canada, you will likely receive a locked smartphone.

WHAT DOES “LOCKED” MEAN?

When a phone is “locked” it means it’s restricted to a certain carrier’s network. You can’t pop an alternative SIM card into your phone to access cheaper plans.

If you buy a phone from T-Mobile, you can’t put in an AT&T SIM card. That’s because T-Mobile doesn’t want to lose your business.

Additionally, T-Mobile doesn’t want to lose your costly roaming fees. When you travel across the country or overseas, T-Mobile makes a lot of money on roaming fees and other charges. If you unlock your phone, you can pop in a local SIM card and avoid these fees.

WHY WOULD YOU WANT TO UNLOCK YOUR PHONE?

Unlocking, like rooting, is a freeing experience. No longer is your phone restricted to a certain network. Instead, your phone is a mercenary, able to switch allegiances at any time.

Here are a few reasons you would unlock your phone:

-To resell it and increase its resale value

-To access cheap local SIM cards while traveling

-To swap out SIM cards when calling certain people or certain countries

-To switch to a superior carrier or a cheaper plan

There are many more reasons to unlock your device, but those are the most important reasons.

HOW IS UNLOCKING DIFFERENT FROM ROOTING?

Unlocking and rooting are similar concepts but are two totally different processes.

Rooting lets you access the “root” directories of your Android device. You can root any Android device. All Android manufacturers restrict access to root documents in order to protect users and enhance security.

Unlocking, on the other hand, defeats carrier restrictions. Carriers install locks on their devices to make you a slave to their service for life. Not all Android devices require unlocking – typically only devices sold within the United States and Canada – two places where carrier oligopolies reign supreme.

HOW DO YOU UNLOCK AN ANDROID DEVICE?

Carriers charge between $10 and $40 to unlock your phone. Unlocking a phone simply involves entering a code. That code tells AT&T’s servers that your device is no longer locked.

You can find phone unlocking services online. However, it’s generally a good idea to pay to unlock through your carrier. It’s usually the cheaper option.

If you get lucky or are very persuasive, then you might be able to convince your carrier’s representative to unlock your phone for you. Your mileage will vary, and some reps will do it for no charge at all.

IS IT WORTH THE PRICE?

Most people will pay around $20 to unlock their phones. Think of how much money you spend on roaming charges and other carrier-specific fees. It’s probably more than $20.

If you plan on traveling in the near future, then unlocking your phone is a great way to stay in touch without worrying about costly charges.

I didn’t know how valuable unlocking a phone was until I started traveling. When I went to Australia, most of my European friends were enjoying cheap data plans and long distance rates while I was forced to wait for Wi-Fi coverage.

Top 5 Best Apps To Install On Your New Android Wear Smart Watch

Google’s smartwatches are now available around the world.

In fact, there are three major Google smartwatches currently available along with smartwatches from LG, Samsung, and other manufacturers. All of the smartwatches run a customized Android kernel called Android Wear.

Not all apps are available for Android Wear. Today, I’m going to tell you about the best apps that are currently available for your new Google smartwatch.

GOOGLE KEEP

Google Keep is a lot like Evernote. Both Google Keep and Evernote are available for Android Wear, so use whichever one you like.

With Google Keep, you can easily keep track of tasks and “to-do” items on your wrist. It’s an easy way to manage shopping lists, for example.

Like Evernote, Google lets you dictate notes into the app using the smartwatch. If you’re the type of person who likes to make note of items and important events, then either Google Keep or Evernote are must-have apps for your new Android smart watch.

IFTTT

If This Then That is swiftly changing the way we use technology. IFTTT is available for PC and Android and lets you easily set up “triggers” for different events. You can tell your smartwatch to disable all sounds when you’re in a certain location, for example, like your office.

The smartwatch version of IFTTT is just as useful as its counterparts. After installing the app, you get a big button on your smartwatch. Pressing this button will trigger a certain action. You can setup multiple buttons and swipe through to find the one you need.

IFTTT is only as useful as you want it to be. If you don’t use any of its extensive features, then you may not appreciate it as much as someone who spends hours configuring their lifestyle around it.

In either case, however, IFTTT is a killer smartwatch app.

RUNKEEPER

Fitness is one of the major reasons why people buy smartwatches. Runkeeper developed an app for smartwatches that is just as useful as its native Android app.

The Runkeeper app for Android Wear lets you track steps, distance, pace, calorie burning, and more. You can also connect it to your phone’s Runkeeper app for further functionality.

Out of all the apps listed here, Runkeeper is my favorite. Checking my watch for pace and distance information during a run is so much easier than pulling my sweaty phone out of my pocket.

GOOGLE MAPS

Google Maps for smartwatches is a unique navigation experience. You can plug your headphones in to receive turn-by-turn navigation, and then you can look down at your watch to see what you need to do next.

The smartwatch will even vibrate when you approach a street to make sure you don’t miss it. If you live in an area with lots of crime, then this helps you avoid being mugged because you don’t have to pull your phone out of your pocket.

PHONE FINDER

Today’s smartwatches are designed to work while your phone is in your pocket. However, most watches will connect to your smartphone if it’s within 10m to 15m.

If you go beyond that range, your smartwatch may not tell you that you’re leaving your phone behind. That’s why some Android users have installed an app called Wear Aware – Phone Finder.

This app will cause your smartwatch to buzz when it goes beyond the range of your phone. If you’re forgetful and leave your phone on a park’s picnic table, for example, then this app could help you avoid losing that phone forever.

You can also use the Phone Finder smartwatch app to trigger your phone’s alarm – which is useful if you’re trying to find the phone somewhere in your house.

“Kim Kardashian: Hollywood” Mobile App Projected To Earn $200 Million In Revenue

Say what you want about Kim Kardashian, but she knows how to take full advantage of celebrity star power.

Kim K’s new mobile app is a great example of using celebrity star power to its full potential. Developed by Glu Mobile, Kim Kardashian: Hollywood is one of the top downloaded games in both the Google Play Store and iTunes App Store.

Although the app is free to download, users can purchase items in-game and spend as much as $99.99 in real dollars.

The most surprising part of the Kim Kardashian app, however, is the flood of 5 star reviews praising the game. The game has attracted nearly 80,000 reviews at the time of writing (double the number of 5 star reviews from 24 hour sago).

All of this praise has resulted in skyrocketing stock prices for Glu Mobile. Bloomberg is estimating that the game will earn approximately $200 million in revenue.

My favorite part of this story is the quote from Glu Mobile’s CEO Niccolo de Masi. When asked about the app, he said:

“It might be our biggest game of the year. We’re not surprised. Kim is a one-of-a-kind talent with an incredibly precise fit for the game engine that we tailored but already had in the company.”

I don’t know about that “one-of-a-kind” talent part, but she certainly knows how to squeeze cash from her fans.

In-app purchases include paying $99.99 for 175,000 virtual dollars of in-game currency. Players can use that money to buy necklaces and receive energy shots to pump them up for the celebrity lifestyle. Traveling is also an important part of the game, and you can pay $4.00 to travel to Hollywood.

Along the way, players are tasked with dressing Kim Kardashian (although the actual dressing process occurs off-screen – sorry guys).

You can also become your own celebrity and create your own star power using Kim Kardashian’s personal fashion picks. Part of the celebrity lifestyle includes “taking over LA”, “dating and dumping celebs”, and “ruling the red market”.

You can choose to be an A-list movie actor, fashion designer, cover model, or more.

You can download the new Kim Kardashian: Hollywood app